Four more products Sudan Red+
Tumie Modisane
6 April 2005
Following weeks of intensive sampling and testing of foodstuffs across the country, the Department of Health has confirmed that four additional food products have tested positive for Sudan Red dye.
The food products are Hinds Peri-Peri Spice, Spice Time Barbeque Spice, Packo Peri-Peri Sauce, and Helderberg Spice Peri-Peri Sauce.
This brings to 15 the total number of products found to contain the Sudan Red colourant since the discovery of low levels of Sudan Red in selected foodstuffs in Britain were reported almost two months ago.
Health Department spokesperson Solly Mabotha says implicated companies and affected retailers have already been informed of the outcome of the analyses.
They have since been requested to recall their products nationally and also to ensure that any chilli powder and related food substances in their possession do not contain the prohibited dye, says Mabotha.
The department has also asked local
authorities to intensify the campaign by ensuring that the recall process is effected accordingly, and that consumers who have purchased any of the contaminated products dispose of them.
Meanwhile, provincial and local health authorities will continue to sample all other chilli powders and related products within the food industry and at the country's ports.
Where any Sudan Red dyes are detected, the relevant products will be removed or destroyed.
However, Mabotha says there no immediate health risks as the substance will only be harmful if taken in large quantities over a prolonged period of time.
"We can assure consumers that most of the implicated products have already been removed", Mabotha said.
The department's laboratories have been inundated with samples from local authorities and from across the food industry, and more products are to be tested.
Outstanding results will be made known as soon as they are ready.
Sudan Red is a
commercial dye - used illegally in food - and could increase the risk of cancer if consumed over a long period in large quantities.
The colourant is prohibited for use in food by the Regulations Relating to Food Colourants of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act 54 of 1972.
The other 11 products are:
- Robertson's Peri Peri Spice
- Osman's Taj Mahal Chilli Powder
- Osman's Taj Mahal Extra Special Curry Powder (Medium)
- Allifa's Extra Special Curry Powder
- Bombay Special Peri Peri Spice
- Adamson Spices Mother-in-law Spice
- Adamson Spices Chicken Tikka Spice
- Adamson Spices Hot Curry Powder
- Chiefs Mango Achar Spicy
- Ma's Spices Fine Chili Powder
- Ma's Spices Curry Powder
Source: BuaNews
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